Pisharody
community is a miniscule one and for that reason this it has certain
peculiarities. A group of non-affluent people – with only livelihood as
meagre income from the services they rendered in the temple. Yet they
produced some illustrious scholars like late Panditaratnam K P Narayana
Pisharody, late Thrikkandiyour Achutha Pisharody etc. Achutha Pisharody
was the guru of Melpathur Narayana Bhatathilripadu, the author of “
Narayaniem” the ever revered and daily recited book of Sanskrit Slokas.
Many of us do not know who K P Achutha Pisharody (brother of Late
Panditaratnam), another living legend in our community and how
knowledgeable is because of his simplicity.

Similarly
we never knew who was Kalayikullangra Raghava Pisharody, the author of
famous Kathakali script “Ravanolbhavam” which still continues to be
performed, enjoyed and appreciated by one and all. A great but noble
Sanskrit scholar who was fond of imparting his knowledge to the children,
lived almost two centuries ago. He was very attached to the then King of
Palakkad “Kombiyachhan”. History reveals that due to the harassment King
Kombiyachhan meted out from another King Samoodiri, he requested Hydrali’s
help. Hydarli acceded to Kombiyachhan’s request and constructed the
famous Fort of Palakkad. History further says that it was this Raghava
Pisharody who laid the foundation of the Fort at Palakkad. Therefore, it
is a matter of pride for us that that our tradition is great, but we lead
a calm and quite life, with simplicity in customs.

Another
point worth mentioning is that women were and are never treated as a
liability in our community. Unlike other communities, we have absolutely
no cruelty of dowry – we never ask for, take any, nor do we ask how much
gold jewellery the bride brings along, and it is entirely up to the
parents. Our Kulapathi, Panditaratnam K P Narayana Pisharody often used to
say that the “bride herself is a dowry”. It is very interesting to note
that in our community it is the bridegroom’s parents who give a token of
say, Rs.101/- or Rs.501/- as a tradition, at the time of engagement (Kallyana
Nischayam) and we must ensure that this tradition is followed by our next
generations also.

Let’s
preserve our custom, tradition and identity. We must live harmoniously
with other communities without keeping any distance in the name of cast or
creed. We are the descendants of those illustrious, cultured and
broad-minded people. This is the great Indian tradition as well, and
let’s keep the flag flying.

(This article appeared in
the Thulaseedalam Silver Jubilee issue of September 2004 as editor’s note)

It is indeed gratifying to note that inspite
of some adverse comments and conditions, the Samajam has taken firm roots
and grown up quite satisfactorily during the past twenty five years. It has
spread its wings far and wide from Kanyakumari to Canada. This is the result
of team work and close co-operation amongst a large majority of our
community members. However,there are certain elements within our own family,
who are not yet convinced about the efficacy of our samajam and/or even the
need for such an organisation. It is farthest from my mind to question their
fundamental right to hold on to their own views and opinions; but if the
facts and figures briefly set-forth herein could help them decide on second
thought and, perhaps,change their opinion and attitude, I would consider my
efforts amply rewarded.

To begin with no-one in his individual capacity can perform such an enormous
task of reaching out to our community members spread throughout the country
and abroad much less render assistance whenever needed for the simple reason
that we have neither the capacity nor clout of Tatas, Birlas, Swaraj Paul or
Ambani's. We simply do not have the resources for building up an
infrastructure to extend moral, physical and financial support to a large
number of needy families in our community. When other communities have set
up such organizations long back, which are now rendering massive aid to
their people, why not we, though rather belated. Gone are the days when our
people can solely remain depended on temples 'Kazakam' for a living. Surely
it does not mean we should throw out our age-old culture and tradition.
However, we do need to move with a rapidly changing world and come out of
our self imposed shell to become professional managers, we need to explore
new pastures we need to reach out into other fields--Doctors, Engineers,
C.As, Lawyers, Architects, etc. to attain economic freedom, that too in
substantial measure. We have to be ready to play a new role in society if we
are to be reckoned with. We should raise our voice loud enough to be heard
through-out the universe. All these of course cannot be done overnight, it
calls for hard work and mighty efforts. Rome was not built in a day.

It is an undisputed fact that collective efforts and organized bargaining
have become the order of the day. They have their own merits. Remember,
little drops of water makes the mighty ocean. If this be true, then the
resources pooled from members of fairly well to do family of our community
would tantamount or atleast be equivalent to a small lake - if not the vast
ocean - from which we can draw and distribute some to those in distress.

I think it redundant for me to go into great details and dwell at length on
the multifarious activities of our samajam, which have directly or
indirectly helped the members. Suffice it to say, there are many sponsored
scholarships to encourage our students, there are medical and financial help
for those in dire need and above all a pension for the aged and destitute
within our community, however, small the amount may be. Agreed, the amount
is insignificant, but it is not the volume that matters but the idea and the
very principle itself is worthy of emulation. Hence, there is no reason why
we should fight shy of holding hand together to uphold such lofty ideals and
noble causes.

As I said before, it is all indeed a team-work with contributions and help
from various quarters, some as far away from New York, U.K., U.A.E. and
Canada. What we do for ourselves is short lived and easily forgotten after
us, but what we do for others will be gratefully remembered for a long time
to come and may ever be engraved in golden letters in the chequered history
of the Samajam of Pisharodys. The Lord said give, and give till it hurts,
for it is in giving that we really receive - it is in dieing that we are
really born to eternal life. True, in God's creation all are not made equal,
all are not made heroes but none of us here is a zero either. So, friends,
let us come together to find a solution to our problems and march forward to
face the challenges of life.